Dear Mr Cornwell. I am fifteen years old and I have finished reading the Warlord Chronicles, the Grail trilogy, and am now reading the Last Kingdom which has gripped me in the same way as the others. It appeals to me greatly as I am very interested in post roman, Dark Age and medieval history. It interests me so much I would love to take up training with these weapons. How did you manage to get, firstly the information about the shield wall and secondly how did you find out about the ‘fury that grips men in battle’? Thank you for giving me increased interest in British history and heritage. Yours Charlie Bowditch, dorset,uk.